Japan issues highest rain warning as downpour triggers landslides, power outages

Eastern Japan was battered by torrential rain on August 13, leading to landslides, power outages, and the issuance of the highest-level heavy rain warning by the Japan Meteorological Agency for the first time in the Chiba region. Footage showed cars submerged in floodwaters in Kashiwa city, Chiba prefecture.

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This is shaping up to be an unprecedented level of heavy rain.

A Japan Meteorological Agency official described the rainfall as "unprecedented" and warned that "lives may be in imminent danger." Over 100,000 households, primarily in Chiba but also in Ibaraki and Saitama regions, received evacuation advisories. Hundreds of people were stranded at Chiba station as train services were suspended.

In the hour leading up to 9 p.m. local time, the Sakura city area in Chiba received approximately 100mm of rain. The JMA's top-level warning, issued for over a dozen cities in Chiba, signifies a high probability of imminent disaster. The extreme weather caused power outages for more than 10,000 households in Chiba and triggered reports of landslides, mudslides, and flooded homes.

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lives may be in imminent danger. Please secure your safety immediately

One resident in Ichikawa city, Chiba, expressed concern about business operations due to the sudden power outage. Scientists note that human-driven climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events.

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This happened all of a sudden so it was a complete surprise. The power is out so I’m worried whether I can open my business in the next couple of days